The Best Places to Surf in Indonesia
WHERE TO SURF IN INDONESIA
New surf spots are being discovered all the time in Indonesia, the choices simply never end.
JAVA Batu Karas: With fine breaks, is one of the most enjoyable places to kick back in Java.
Pangandaran: The most sought after wave on the island. Considered the best wave on the island. The number one spot that everyone is trying to get.
Situated on a narrow isthmus, with a broad sweep of sand on either side and a thickly forested national park on the nearby headland, Pangandaran is Java’s premier beach resort. Most of the year Pangandaran is quiet, but the town fills up on holidays (and weekends). Swimming is dodgy, with heavy dumping surf and strong currents, but it’s not a bad place to get out on a board, or to learn how, on small swells. When the waves are maxed out (which is often), head an hour up the coast to sheltered Batu Karas
BALI: It really is a surfer’s paradise in Bali. Breaks are found right around the south side of the island and there’s a large infrastructure of schools, board-rental places, cheap surfer dives and more that cater to the crowds. Five famous spots you won’t want to miss:
- Kuta Beach Where surfing came to Asia. This is a good place for beginners, with long, steady breaks.
- Bingin A white-sand beach backed by funky accommodation makes this a natural.
- Ulu Watu Some of the largest sets in Bali. The most consistent spot.
- Medewi Famous point break with a ride right into a river mouth.
- Nusa Lembongan The island is a mellow scene for surfers and nonsurfers. The breaks are right in front of the places to stay. See Click here .
NUSA TENGGARA Lombok’s Kuta: Has world-class waves and turquoise water.
South Lombok
Kuta Lombok is a “surfers’ paradise”. Waves are excellent and there are many good surf breaks, such as Mawi, Mawun and “Point X” along South coast of Lombok.
Gerupuk Bay is huge bay located about 7 km east of Kuta. The bay itself is home to five different surf spots which work on various tides, wind and swell conditions. Basically you can always get a wave at Gerupuk. All waves can only be accessed by boat.
Bumbang Bay, is a right-hander over a flat reef. It is suitable for all levels and has fun waves with a long wall and a forgiving lip. On big days with a south-west swell it can be a great spot to surf. This break is surfable in any season and can handle any wind direction, even the trade winds, as it is protected by the surrounding hills. Best on an incoming tide and can hold 10ft solid waves.
Gili Golong, a right-hander that is good at mid to high tide, better take your booties at low tide. Multiple peaks outside offer big drops on takeoff bending into a hollow and fast inside section. Can hold 8-10ft waves but is best at 4-6ft, from October to April.
Don-Don, is the furthest break inside the bay and, as a result, needs a bigger swell to break. Don Don is a perfect A-frame peak walling and bending both left and right. Suitable for all levels of surfers. Can be good in any season as long as the winds are light. Works on any tide, outgoing tide is the best time.
Kid’s Point or Pelawangan, is another right-hander, only breaks on the biggest days, but when it works, it’s barrel city. Best on an incoming tide.
Air Guling or literally means rolling wateris a right hand reef break located on the west side of Kuta. Access by boat and land is possible. Tumbling into this pretty place is a good but short and hollow right that should be surfed from mid to high tides.
Seger Beach, located just 2 km from Kuta, Seger is a right-hand reef break with the occasional left off the peak. A good place when the swell drops. On mid tides and offshore winds this can be a great spot, with short tubes and bowly.
Mawi, located 20 minutes west of Kuta. On small days this reef break offers a nice peak with short hollow rights and lefts. At 6ft plus, Mawi transforms into a heaving left barrel, with elevator drops and heavy hold downs. In 8-10ft it’s not a spot for the faint hearted. Best on mid tides and a south east trade wind, from May to September Mawi can hold any size wave you’re prepared to surf.
Ekas Bay, located to the east of Kuta and takes about 30 minutes by car to Awang and then another 20 minutes by boat across the bay.
Outside Ekas is a left hander that starts working over 5ft and holds up to 10ft. The wave offers huge drops, acres of open face to carve and a ton of power to spare. Best on mid to high tides and a south east wind. Inside
Ekas is located further inside the bay from Outside Ekas. It’s a fun, walling peak that can handle real size. Needs a big swell and south east winds, but on its day can offer very long rides and barrels on the inside of the right. Low tides for the right, higher tides for the left and holds 12ft plus.
West Lombok
Banko Bangko or Desert Point is located on the South West Coast of Lombok, 3 hours drive from Kuta. On its day Desert Point is regarded as one of the best waves on the planet. Full or new moon low tides, a south-east wind and a big swell are needed, most consistent from May to October. It can go weeks without waves, but just one Desert Point bomb will make the wait worth it. Experienced surfers only!
Senggigi, where you could find a break called The Senggigi Sheraton Left. The set up here is great but requires a large swell to work. Just around is a nameless righthander which can hollow out, but also needs a very strong swell to happen. Both sport are most surfable from mid to high tides.
Off Gili Air, on the most southern part is a fine right hand peak that can break flawlessly on a solid south swell. This break can be surfed on a high or low tide, but usually doesn’t perform until desert to the south is beginning to hit at least the six foot mark.
On the other two Gilis, Trawangan and Meno, although there are waves but usually inconsistent, dicey and not worth checking out.
Sumbawa: Has superb surf at isolated Maluk
SUMATRA
- Northern Sumatra’s Pulau Nias: is the most visited surfing destination in the province.
- The Mentawai Islands have good surf camps and draw charters
Source: Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet Southeast Asia